20/09/2025
Back to the Governor’s Seat: What Fubara’s Return Really Means
On September 17–18, 2025, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially lifted the state of emergency in Rivers State. With that decision, Siminalayi Fubara is reinstated as governor, alongside his deputy Ngozi Odu and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. 
The extension back into office brings relief to many, but it also raises big, unresolved issues—about constitutional norms, federal‑state relations, political accountability, and the durability of democracy.
The Unfolding
Here’s a brief refresher with some key points:
• On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a political crisis — conflicts between Fubara and the state legislature, stalled governance, and security risks, including pipeline vandalism. 
• Fubara, his deputy, and the entire Rivers House of Assembly were suspended. In their place, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok‑Ete Ibas was appointed as Sole Administrator. 
• Over the six months, various stakeholders — local chiefs, civil society, political actors from Rivers and neighbouring states — pressed for reinstatement, calling into question the constitutionality and motives of the emergency suspension. 
• On the basis of “a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding among political stakeholders” and the assessment that “peace has returned,” the emergency rule was ended. Governance resumed with Fubara back in office. 
Beyond the Headlines: Alternative Angles
While many reports celebrate the return as the end of a political crisis, there are deeper, less emphasized dimensions to consider:
1. Precedent for Suspension of Elected Officials
The suspension of a democratically elected governor, deputy, and entire legislature is unprecedented in recent Nigerian history. While emergency powers exist under Nigeria’s constitution, their application in this way (removing elected state actors) stretches legal norms. What does this say for the balance of power between the federal and state levels? Does this set a precedent where political conflicts might routinely trigger emergency interventions?
2. Political Underpinnings & Power Struggles
The crisis was not merely about budget delays or legislative tussles. It was deeply connected to political godfathership dynamics—particularly between Fubara and Nyesom Wike (Minister of FCT, and former governor of Rivers), whose influence in Rivers remains strong. Many saw the emergency rule as an opportunity for the federal centre to recalibrate control over Rivers State. 
3. The People’s Hardships, Quiet Victims
During the six‑months, many ordinary citizens felt the impact. Disruptions to governance, slower or paused government services, uncertainty, possibly delayed salaries or local government functions — these do not make headlines but affect daily life. Also, political uncertainty can stifle investment, slow infrastructure projects, reduce public confidence, and heighten insecurity.
4. Legal, Constitutional Questions Still Pending
Several legal challenges were filed: by opposition governors, civil society organisations, legal practitioners asserting the suspension was unconstitutional—even under a state of emergency. 
As Fubara resumes, these legal issues haven’t entirely disappeared—they may still have implications in future legal precedents or political practice.
5. Room for Renewal – Expectations & Responsibilities
With reinstatement comes heightened expectations. Governor Fubara must demonstrate a capacity to govern more inclusively, reconcile previously bitter schisms, address legislative‑executive friction, and avoid repeating patterns that led to breakdowns. Transparency, dialogue, institutional strength, and rule of law will feature heavily in public evaluation.
What Return Should Not Be Taken For Granted
Fubara’s return to office is not a reset button that erases all complexities. Below are some background conditions and potential pitfalls that will define whether this moment leads to durable stability or merely a pause before the next crisis.
• Clarity in Constitutional Boundaries: The legal framework for emergency powers must be respected. The citizens will be watching for whether the actions under emergency rule (appointments, contracts, finances) are subject to oversight and whether there will be accountability.
• Strengthening Institutions: Rivers State House of Assembly, executive offices, local governments need to assert their constitutional roles without fear. Legislative oversight, budget process integrity, transparency in appropriation are essential.
• Public Trust & Legitimacy: Much of the damage during the emergency was political — people asked whether democratic choice was respected. There must be efforts to restore trust: public communication, explanations, responsiveness to citizens.
• Preventing Future Crises: The root causes—political infighting, unclear power sharing, weak conflict resolution mechanisms—must be addressed. Otherwise, emergency rule becomes a go‑to option in governance spats.
• Monitoring & Civil Society Role: NGOs, media, professional bodies, citizens have a role in keeping government in check. They must demand accountability for what happened during the suspension, and ensure future compliance with democratic norms.
What Fubara’s Return Symbolizes
• It’s a recognition that prolonged suspension of elected government is politically unsustainable. 
• It may represent a tactical victory for Fubara and his supporters — staying politically alive while suspended, retaining popular support, and making the case for restoration.
• It raises questions about federalism: how much power the centre has in states, under what conditions, and how citizens accept or resist such interventions.
Conclusion: At the Threshold of a Test
Siminalayi Fubara’s return to power in Rivers State closes one chapter — the state of emergency. But it opens another: can democracy recover stronger, more resilient? Or will the conditions that led to this crisis — power struggles, institutional instability, partisan division, weakened oversight — persist?
For Rivers State, for Nigeria’s democracy: this is not purely about who occupies Government House. It’s about governance, rule of law, respect for the constitution, and delivering for citizens.
Fubara returns not just to wield power — he returns under watch. And the measure of this period will not be in how loud the celebrations are, but how carefully reconciliation is managed, how boldly institutions are strengthened, and how deeply citizens’ rights are upheld.
